Sars may close China markets

DESPERATE to roll back the spread of the killer Sars virus, China's regulators are weighing up a plan to shut the country's stock markets in Shanghai and Shenzhen for almost two weeks.

Rumours of the impending closure - which would in effect extend a traditional May Day market break - swirled yesterday and reports suggested official confirmation could come today.

The plan underscores the severity of the struggle against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) in China, even as signs are emerging that the disease may have been brought under control elsewhere.

The move came as leaders from Beijing and 10 south eastern regions gathered in Thailand for an emergency summit on the crisis. To date, China has reported 139 deaths from Sars, more than a third of the global total. Experts caution, however, that the real figure could be higher.

Most observers expect the Chinese authorities to shut stock trading from Thursday - May Day - through to 11 May. Officials are eager to minimise the risk of passing on the virus in crowded dealing rooms.

Beijing officials have already announced a separate plan to shorten workers' traditional May holiday to curb cross-country travel. China - where Sars is believed to have originated - is viewed by health experts as the critical battlefield in the fight against the bug. 'China is the key because if China cannot contain it, then it can't be removed,' said the World Health Organisation's David Heymann.